Thomas Ronald Toothaker, known to all as Ron, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 19. Ron died at home in Wilton, after a very brief illness, surrounded by the love of his family. He was 88 years old.  Ron was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He called Wilton home since 1977 and was the beloved husband of Nancy Toothaker for nearly 53 years.

Ron was born November 27, 1937, in San Diego, California. He was the only child of Thomas Kaisinger Toothaker and Julia Corkill Toothaker. Ron's parents and their view of the world provided the strong foundation on which his life was built.

Music was always an important part of Ron's life. As a young boy, he played trombone in the Bonham Brothers Boys Band, a long-standing San Diego institution that accompanied the San Diego float in the Rose Parade, performed concerts at Balboa Bowl and other local venues, and competed—often winning—in Southern California marching band parades. Later in life Ron enjoyed playing the piano with his grandchildren and would even occasionally show them how to play the Hammond Organ he proudly had in his home. Ron excelled at San Diego High School. Among his many achievements, he was commander of the Junior ROTC and was selected into a trial internship program working half of each school day as a draftsman in the City Schools' Architect's Office, helping design modular classrooms. After graduating from SDHS, Ron attended Stanford University, majoring in history. While at Stanford, he was president of Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity, and was a leader in the university's ROTC program. He continued playing trombone in a dance band and occasionally performed with the San Francisco Orchestra.

In June 1959, Ron graduated from Stanford University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army on the same day. He immediately reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he completed the Infantry Officer Leadership Course and parachute training. Following completion of IOLC and jump school, he was assigned to an armored rifle battalion in Ulm, Germany. During the final year of his tour, he was reassigned to Combat Command headquarters as an assistant S-2 (intelligence officer), where his primary responsibilities included liaison work with the German II Corps, local government officials, and the German press.

In December 1962, Ron began six months of study at the Army Language School in Monterey, California. In July 1963, he reported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group. He was later reassigned to the 5th Special Forces Group which relocated from Fort Bragg to Nha Trang, Vietnam, arriving in September 1964.  Stationed near Cam Ranh Bay, Ron served a year in-country leading an A-Team into the Central Highlands of Vietnam during some of the earliest and most difficult days of the American involvement there. True to form, even amid hardship, his sense of humor found an outlet. He became known among his fellow officers for writing sharp, funny songs about Army life, performing them on his guitar.  Word of his talent eventually reached high enough that he was pulled off an operation to entertain a visiting general.

During his military service, Ron achieved the rank of Major in the U.S. Army earning the Parachute Badge, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After returning to the United States, he resigned his commission in 1967. Ron was very proud of his years in the U.S. Army and, in his quiet way, frequently shared stories of his experiences in the service with his family.

Marching with the veterans in the Wilton Memorial Day Parade was always a proud moment for Ron, especially when he was asked to be the Grand Marshall and speak at the Hillside Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony. He cherished the relationships he made while serving on the Memorial Day Parade committee and was honored the year he was chosen to serve as that committee's chair.

After leaving the Army, Ron attended Stanford Law School. While there, he spent six months as an "assistente" at the University of Florence's law school, working with a professor of comparative law whom he had studied under at Stanford. Ron loved art and history so spending so much time in Florence was very special for him. After graduating from law school, Ron began a distinguished career as a corporate lawyer with White & Case in New York City. He later became General Counsel for Swiss Bank Corporation and, subsequently, Private Banking Counsel for UBS. In the late-1990s he played an active role in planning, permitting, and development of the UBS headquarters and trading floor in Stamford, Connecticut.

While working as a young law associate in New York City, Ron met Nancy, and they were married on August 4, 1973. The couple spent the first three years of their marriage in Brussels and London while Ron worked in White & Case's overseas offices. After more than 30 years in corporate law, Ron retired to pursue a life focused on reading, learning, music, and family, while also enjoying rounds of golf at Silver Spring Country Club.

Ron's life centered on his children's and later his grandchildren's activities and accomplishments.  He coached his children's baseball and soccer teams and was later an enthusiastic cheering fan. He once said he never imagined the immense joy of being a father and grandfather and seeing his children and grandchildren happy and successful.  Ron always seemed happiest and most at peace when he was sitting at the head of a boisterous dinner table filled with his loving family and a wonderful meal. He loved a good joke, a great story and time spent with those he loved.

Ron will be fondly remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, a warm man with a kind heart and wonderful sense of humor who remembered everything he ever learned and always loved a good story.

Ron is survived by his wife Nancy (Coffman) Toothaker, his three children, Thomas (Marike) of Fairfield, Nathaniel (Cornelia) of Rowayton, and Katherine (Josh) of Norwalk, and his seven grandchildren of whom he was endlessly proud; Susanna, William, Luke, Sadie, Tucker, Chase & Christopher.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held Friday, July 10 at 11:00 am at the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wilton Library Association or the Wilton Congregational Church.

To offer online condolences please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com